Cannabidiol, or CBD, has increased in popularity over the past few years. As more and more states legalize hemp and marijuana in various degrees, CBD has popped up in a variety of products.
A lot of people use CBD products for general health and wellness, while more research is needed to validate the effectiveness of these products. However, with CBD products sweeping the nation, and the Internet, there is very little research needed to validate their popularity.
When it comes to these products, it is very much buyer beware, as the CBD market is still highly unregulated. This makes it necessary for consumers to research and educate themselves to be sure they are getting the highest quality CBD products.
When buying CBD products, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Not all CBD is equal. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, because of inadequate regulation in the CBD industry, companies frequently mislabel CBD products, diluting CBD to ineffective levels. This is especially true if you buy CBD online.
A little homework can save you from unscrupulous CBD brands. Diligently research suppliers, check out their online reviews, and find out if they send their products out for third-party testing. You can often find this information on the website of reputable companies or by simply calling their customer service department. When you buy online, or even in person, you have no way of know what you will get unless you purchase if from a reputable supplier.
Things to Know When Choosing a CBD Product
When choosing a CBD product, pay attention to whether it is broad spectrum or full spectrum CBD. Full-spectrum has trace amounts of THC in it, so you get the entourage effect. This refers to the interaction between the THC and other cannabinoids, helping them to reach their full health-boosting potential. People who want no THC should choose a product with broad spectrum CBD. A product with CBD Isolate uses CBD oil with no other cannabinoids. Some consider them the safest if you wish to avoid THC, but you don’t get the benefits of the other cannabinoids working together.
CBD Oils and Tinctures
CBD oil is by far the most popular and well-known CBD product. This is no surprise, since most CBD companies produce CBD oil tinctures as the first step to their business. CBD oil has many benefits, including treating two rare forms of epilepsy, pain relief, anxiety disorders, acne treatment, and skin care. When buying oil, or any CBD product for that matter, there are a few things to look out for.
The concentration, how it is extracted, whether it is third-party tested, and more. And keep in mind, especially because marijuana is legal in all states, only trace amounts THC can legally be in CBD oil. Look for CBD tinctures with an MCT oil as the carrier oil. MCT or Medium Chain Triglycerides are saturated fatty acids that have complementary health benefits with CBD.
CBD Creams
Runners have been onto CBD for a while, using it to relieve the pain of knee injuries, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and more. CBD cream is just another way to help relieve the common aches and pains that come from living an active life. It’s great for soothing musculoskeletal pain, sore muscles after intense workouts, and reducing muscle tension.
CBD Gummies
People love CBD gummies as a daily supplement, since they make it much easier to take and remind most of us of how much we loved gummies as kids. They are available in fun shapes like teddy bears with sweet and sour flavors. CBD has been known to help with insomnia, so popping a gummy right before bed is a fun way get better sleep.
CBD Bath Bombs
CBD bath bombs are definitely an up-and-coming product. Because the warm bath opens your pores, the CBD goes to work faster than most topical applications. And it reaches every part of your body instead of just a small area. Most bath bombs also contain Epsom salt, which works well with CBD, as each enhances the benefits of the other.
CBD-Infused Honey
If you’re the kind of person who has at least five different types of honey on hand at any given time, this CBD product is for you. You can use it just about any way you’d use honey, on toast with ricotta cheese, in salad dressings, or even to sweeten your tea. Or with a spoon right out of the jar. Just make sure you’re keeping track of the dosage.
CBD-Infused Olive Oil
Another popular product is CBD-infused olive oil. It’s great for cooking, use it just like olive oil in a salad dressing, pizza, and even on ice cream. Look for one that tastes the way a quality EVOO would taste, with none of the “green” after taste.
CBD Chocolate
Chocolate is a pretty good comfort food on its own, but imagine how it would be with CBD added to it. Some would say that it’s a comfort superfood. It’s straightforward, you just eat it like you would a regular chocolate bar. It’s delicious and, like the CBD-infused oil, has no hempy, earthy after taste. Just smooth, chocolatey, soothing CBD.